Trunk Open and Lock Mechanism is in Closed Position

[Chris Anderson]

While working on my trunk lock on 64 Cadillac, I mistakenly closed the locking mechanism while the trunk was open.  Is there an easy way to manually release the lock back to the open position?

Thanks.

[Chris Anderson]

Thanks Kurt.  Yes - I have tried all copies of the round keys! I ordered a cylinder from Rock Auto and hopefully that will work.

[Kurt]

I thought that may be the case. You're actually lucky that you were not able to close the trunk with that frozen lock cylinder. I'm sure someone on this site has lock cylinders for sale. Good luck.

One final sanity check: You are using the round head key & not the octagon head key, correct? 

[Chris Anderson]

So the locksmith took a look and indicated it is the lock cylinder that was frozen.   Suggestion for a new lock cylinder for 1964?  He did not want to help.   Thanks for any suggestions.  

[Kurt]

Try lubing everything. WD40 will do. Latching the mechanism is not a big deal and should not cause this problem. If the key or screwdriver will not turn it, it's sticking or frozen up.

[Chris Anderson]

Tried that originally - the key will not turn in the lock and tried using screwdriver to turn where rod intersects the latch from the lock cylinder, but to no avail.

[Kurt]

Put the key in & unlock it.